TECHNO CLASSICA ESSEN

[bmw3s]

Finally I got the chance to visit Techno Classica in Essen, Germany. This show has somehow eluded me these past few years, but at the beginning of 2012 I put a big red circle around this year's date. After seeing so many pictures online from previous years I knew it wouldn't disappoint. The show presents itself as the World Show for Vintage, Classic and Prestige Automobiles, Motorcycles, Spare Parts and Restoration, and all the major manufactures from Germany showcase their automotive heritage. Because there were so many cars I've decided to split them up into categories. Let's start with one my favourite brands: BMW.

The BMW stand was huge, with several old racecars and a special display dedicated to the 3-Series. One of the coolest racecars on the stand was this beautiful red BMW 2002.

It was in absolute concours state as can been seen inside the engine bay.

The other car that really grabbed my attention was of course the E30 M3 that competed in the DTM. It is the same car that Rod and I saw late last year at the Essen Motor Show. So I have seen it before but now I got the chance to take a closer look. BMW also removed the hood to give a clear and unobstructed view of the engine.

How I would love to hear the sound of this car when it's fired up!

The car is powered by this 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 335bhp, giving it a top speed of 310kph. The carbon airbox is a very nice touch, together with the fluid hardlines that run through the engine bay.

Next to the E30 was its much younger brother. This is the E92 M3 DTM that will compete in the 2012 DTM season – I know that everybody at Speedhunters can't wait for this series to start.

How can you not love the 2002 Turbo? This was the first European production car with a turbo. It's also one of the most important cars in the history of BMW.

The car doesn't wear the famous M logo because it predates the creation of BMW's performance division. This 2002 was built and developed by the BMW Motorsport team that would later be renamed to BMW M.

Right next to it was this road-going version of the M1. The press release stated that there would be an M1 Procar at Techno Classica, but instead BMW displayed this. Although less dramatic it is still a car that had a great impact on BMW's history.

Tucked away in a corner was this immaculate BMW 3.0 CSL. It was built as a homologation special to be eligible to race in the European Touring Car Championship.

The car dominated the series from 1975 until 1979. In total 765 of these cars were built, making them highly sought after and consequently very expensive to buy.

The visitors weren't very interested in this little car as you can see in this shot. But from a distance I recognized it as the 700 RS, a car that had been developed to compete in hillclimbs. It has a tubular-frame chassis and an aluminium body.

Power comes from a 2-cylinder Boxer engine that has 70ps. Thanks to the lightweight shell of just 630kg it was able to reach a top speed of 160kph.

BMW also invited private owners to showcase their pride and joy. One of the cars that was hard to miss was this yellow Alpina B12 5.7 Coupé based on the 850 CSi. As the name suggests it has a 5.7 liter V12 engine producing 416bhp.

Another Alpina model was this B7 Turbo based on the E28 528i. The cool thing was that all of these cars were privately owned. I also believe that the majority of these cars are kept in storage most of the time, so you won't see them again any time soon. Some of them were immaculate and in concours condition.

For instance, where on earth would you find a 635 CSI in such condition?

At the show BMW representatives were on hand to help you find that one special part to complete your restoration.

A BMW 501 with a twist.

In the back of the car was this beer tap – because we are in Germany after all!

BMW reserved a special part of their stand for the 3-Series, starting with this E21.

The E30 right next to it is my favourite 3-Series model.

After the E30 came the E36 and the E46. I guess they forgot the E90 but instead they showed the latest version, also known as the F30.

I'll leave you guys with a few shots of this M1 Procar I found in a different hall. It belongs to Franz Ostermaier, who still uses it as a racecar at the annual Old Timer Grand Prix at the Nürburgring.

I never realized that the engine was so far back. It's almost in the centre of the car, giving a perfect balance. The engine is a 6-cylinder inline unit with a capacity of 3.5 litres. The maximum power of 475ps is achieved at 9,000rpm.

Just look at those rear tyres – and check out the exhaust. Amazing. I would love to see this car in action and hear it go full speed on the Döttinger Höhe at the Nürburgring this year. I'll be back with more from another major German car builder.
Jeroen Willemsen

[SID_]

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